Reservoir release valve



E. E. HEWITT Aug. 27, 1935.

w RESERVOIR RELEASE VALVE Filed June 50, 1931 INVENTOR. (08 EL L /s E. 'HEw/TT A-TTORNEY.

' the following more -detailed description Patented Aug.` 27, 1935 UNiTED sTATEs PATENT; oiFfFicEidf I i 7 '2,012317'. i RESERVOIR RELEASE VALVE Ellis E. Hewitt, Edgewood, Pa., as'signor to The Westing'house AirjBrake Company, Wilmerf' ding, Pa., a corporaticn 'of' Pennsylvania Application June sc, wsi, serial Na; 547,820,

27 claim; (ci. sta-eo) auxiliary reservoir through passage .l land pas- This invention relates to fluid pressure brakes, and more particularly to the type operated in accordance with variations in pressurein 'a brake pipe. i

In the usual brake equipmentemployed to control the brakes on a freig-ht train, an auxiliary reservoir is carried .by each car and the supply of fluid under pressure from the brake pipe to said reservoir and from said reservoir to the brake cylinder is ccntrolled lay fa triple valve device which operates in accordance with variations in brake pipe pressure.v Under certain conditions however, it is desired to reduce the' pressure of fluid in the auxiliary reservoir independently of the triple valve device, and for this purpose an auxiliary reservoir release valve device 'is Uprovided and is operated 'by a trainman from the side of'a car by means of a connect-img rod.

It has been proposed to provide a brake equipment for freight cars in which two reservoirs are provided oneachcar, and one object of my invention is to provide an i-mproved reservoir release valve device which may be operated by a -trainman for venting fiuid under pressure from 'both of said reservoirs independently'of the brake controlling valveV device on the car. i

Another object of my invention is to provide a reservoir release valve device of the above character having two venting positions, one position for venting fluid under pressure from one of said two reservoirs, and another positionfor Simultaneously venting fluid under pressure from both of said reservoirs. i

Other objects and advantages willappearwin of my invention. En the acccmpanying drawing; Fig. 1- is a diagrammatic view, Vmainly in section, -of afluid pressure brake equipment having my improved reservoir release valve device associated therewith; Fig. 2 is a sectional View-of the reservoirrelease valve device taken on the 'line 2-2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a plan view of .the'reservoir'release valve Operating stem showing the Operating Vrods connected thereto; and Fig. l is a face view of the stamped blank from which the Operating stemV is fcrmed. f

As shown in Fig. l lof the drawing, the `fluid pressure brake equipment comprises a service application valve device Land ancmergency application valve device 2 preferably '.mounted on oppositely disposed faces of a pipe bracket a brake cylinder li, an. auxiliary reservoir '5,ian'.

emergencyreservoir `and a reservoir release valve device l. w

The service application valve device l comprises a casing containing a piston 8 having a Chamber 9 at one side open to a brake'fpipe Ill through passages H and IE, and avalve chamber l3-at theopposite side connected to the sagerand pipe l. JThe valvexchamber contains a main slide .valve 16 and an auxiliary `slide valve I? adapted'to -be moved by'the piston 8.

The emergency application valve device 2 comprises a casingcontaining an emergency pistoni8-` having aichamber 19 at 'one'side open to the brake pipe `li) through passage H Land passag'e .E2 and having atthe opposite side a valve chamber 28 connected 'by a passage 2| to a'quick actionchamber 22. `Contained in the valve chamber 20 is a main slide valve .23 Vandfan''auxiliary slide valve 24. adapte'dto be moved-by the Vpiston |8." 1' z The Vemergency application valve further comprises aflexible diaphragm 25.v open at one side to valveV charnber 20 andat the .opposite side to a chamber 25 which is connected by Va passage El and a passage andpipe 28 to the emergencyreservoir. 6. Interposed between said vdiaphragm and :the main slide valve 23 is .a pinv 29 havingrocking engagernent with said slide valve and having an enlarged lhead -portion engaging the diaphragm.- Aspring follower 30 is pressed into eng'agement with the opposite sideofzthe atmosphere ,through chamber 40 ,and anzatmospheric passage 41. z v Preferably extending from the casingof the service applicationvalve device is, a'bracket 42 upon which is mounted the reservoirireleasevalve device TI, said :bracket being provided With a'yalve cavity ,43:connected to fpassagel from the auxil-' iary reservoir 5, and another cavity'M connected to passageq :from the einergency reservoir-.v

Mounted on thebrackettZ-"is thereservoir releasevalve device 'l whichcomprisesa bQdy 64 having achamber 55, the lower end of :whichf'is closedby appartition wall 46, anda cover ;53'

mounted on the bodygll. A gasketj is provided between thej body 64 and bracket A2 for efiectng aleakproof' seal. f

i vThe partition wall ;46 has' two throughgvent i pas'sages 41 and.q8. Theuter end ofthe vent passageilil Jis provided with a seat ;rib 4,9 adapt'ed to be engaged by ancmergency ;reservoir release valve whichis disposed in the cavityrd and normally pressed intoengagement with theseat ribiie by means .ofazspringfiL 'I'he outerend of 'the vent passageld 'is' 'provided -with-a seat ;rib

52 and an auxiliary reseryoir release yalve e53,`

secured to a guide pin 51, one end of whichis slidably mounted in a bore in a boss 53 project-` ing from the partition wall 46. Carried in one -end of the cross-head 56 is a pin 59, one end of which slidably extends into a bore 66 of the cover 63 and the other end' projects toward the auxiliary reservoir release valve 53 but does not normally engage said valve. A similar pin 6| is carried by the other end of the cross-head 56. The pin 6|, has one end slidably extending into: abore 62 in thecover and. the other end projects toWard1but does not normally engage theflemer'gency reservoir release valve 56. The Cross-head `56 and valve Operating pins 59 and 6| .are ino-rmally maintained in the position shownv in the 'drawing by `a spring 65 and in this position the Vdistance between the end of pin 59 and the auxiliary reservoir releasevalve 53 is less' than the distance between the pin 6| and the emergency reservoir` release valve 56.

' The cover 63 is provided with a bore 66, the upper'end of which terminates into a conical shaped'opening 61.1 Extending through the opening 51 and bore '66 and into' Chamber 55 is a manually operated device for moving the cross-head 56 against the pressure of spring 65.

The manually operated device comprises a circulardisk-like member`66, preferably dished and having' a rim or'flange of larger diameter than that of 'opening' 66,` and said Vmember is normally pressed into engagement with surface 1| of the cover 63 by spring 65 acting through the' crosshead 66 and cross-'head guide pin 51. VA hollow operatingstem 69 is preferably Welded to one side of the member 68 for tilting said `member on the surface 1|. By dishing the member 68, the point of engagement with the pin 51 is in line with' surface-1| so as to lreduce to a minimum the sideward. movement of said pin when operated by the tilting of the. member 68.

' Secured to the upper end of the Operating stem 69-a`re operatingIrods 12 and `13,"extending in opposite directions, one to each of the two sides of a car, so that a trainman can operate the release'valve' device from either side of the car. If the rod 12 is pulled by an' operator or if the rod 13 is pushed by an operator, the top of the operatingstem 69 is moved toward the'left andv this turnsthe member 68 Counterclockwise about a pivot formed at A on the surface 1| of cover 63. If the rod 12 or rod 13 is moved in the re- 'verse direction,"the member 68 fulcrums at B on the surface 1|. Irrespective of the direction of movement of the Operating stem 69, the member 68",fulcrums at someV point onl the surface 1| and causes ,a movement of the cross-head Operating pin '51 and cross-head 56 against the pressure o-fspring 65, and the conical shaped opening 61 is provided to permit such movement; The-'Operating stem 69 is preferably stamped froml sheet material, the developed form being shown -in Fig. '4;' The stamping isbent to the form of a' tube and the butting edges 16 and 11 are welded and to this tubevis welded the mem-l ber 68, which also is preferably a stamping. As shown in Fig. 4,' the stamping includes two lugs 18 each with a hole 19, so Vthat When the stem is formed up, the holes 19 are in alinement to receive a pin or rivet 86 to which is connected the Operating rods-12 and 13.` z

As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, a plurality of notches 8| are formed in the side wall of the body `64 through which the Chamber V55 is open to the atmosphere, and each of these notches is baffled or'partly covered with a shroud or extension 82 from the cover portion 63, in order to Vprevent foreign matter from entering chamber 55. o

.AV fiexible boot 14, preferably constructed of 'a rubbercomposition is employed to prevent entrance of dirt or other foreign matter into the conical shaped opening 61 and on to the member 68, so that the operation of said member will not beinterfered with. The boot 14 is provided at its open end with an annular bead 15 adapted to `clamp over a bead 98 of the'cover 63, and the other end of the boot is provided with an opening through which the- Operating stem 69 is inserted.

In operation, fluid under pressure is supplied to brake pipe IO in the usual manner and from thebrake pipe fiows through passages |2 and to piston chambers 9 and |9. With the service application valve piston 8 in ,the release position shown in the drawing, fluid under pressure fiows from, chamber 9 through feed groove 83 to valve chamber |3' and from thence through passage |4 and passage and pipe |5 to the auxiliary reservoir 5 and to valve Chamber 43 of the reservoir release valve device 1. Fluid under pressure also fiows from Valve Chamber 3 throughport 84 in the main slide valve |6 and passage and pipe 28 to .the ,emergency reservoir 6 and valve Chamber 44 of the reservoir release valve device 1.

With the emergency application valve piston |8 in the releasev position, fluid under pressure fiows from Chamber |9 through passage 85 to the quick action Chamber 22 and the valve Chamber 20. In this release position the emergency reservoir passage 28 is lapped and fiuid under pressure from the emergency reservoir 6 fiows through passages 28 and 21 to the loading diaphragm Chamber 26. f With the slide valve |6 of the service application valve device in the release position, the brake cylinder 4 is open to the atmosphere through pipe and passage 86, cavity 31 in the main slide Valve |6 and an atmospheric passage 86. With the ;brake equipment .charged to brake pipe pressure, if it is desired to effect a service application of the brakes, fiuid under pressure is gradually vented from brake' pipe E and the connected piston chambers 9 and |9 at a service rate.

The service rate of reduction in the piston Chamber 9 of the service application valve device permits auxiliary reservoir pressure in valve Chamber |3 to shift the piston 8 and slide valves |6 and |1 to the service position in which said piston engages a gasket 89. In this position, the service port 96 in the main slide valve is uncovered by the auxiliary valve |1 and said port registers with the brake cylinder passage 86. This permits fluid under pressure to flow from the auxiliary reservoir through pipe and passage 5, passage M, valve VChamber |3, port 96 and passage and pipe 86 to the brake cylinder 4V and effect an lapplication ofvthe brakes.

The service rate of reduction in the emergency piston Chamber 9 permits quick action Chamber pressure in valve VChamber 20 to shift'the piston |8 and auxiliary slide valve 24 outwardly, thereby uncovering port 9| through theV main valve 23, which 'port registers with an atmospheric cylinder, in the samef manner as 'in initially passage S2. This permits fluid-,under pressure to fl-oW from the quick action chamber through passage 2i and valve Chamber Z- toj the atmosphere at such a rate as to prevent an increase in the pressure diiferential on the piston 18 sufficient for it to move the main slide valve 2,3.-

If a'sudden reduction in pressure is effected in the brake pipe If! and the piston chambers 9 and [9, the service application'valve device operates in the same manner as in eifecting a service application of the brakes to supply fluid under pressure tothe brake cylinder 4, The venting capacity of the port 9| in the main emergency slide valve 23 is however insufficient to reduce the pressure in Valve Chamber 2B as rapidly as'the brake pipe pressure is r-educed in chamber 49. Consequently, a pressure differential is obtained on the einergency piston |8 sufficient to move said piston and the slidev valves 23 and 2d to 'emergency position, in which the piston engages a gasket 973.

In emergency position of the ven'iergency slide valve 23, a cavity 9d in said slide valve connects passage 28 from the emergency reservoir 6 to the b-rake cylinder passage B6, Vso that fluid under pressure -ows from the emergency reservoir 6 to the brake cylinder 4 and equalizes in the brake cylinder With fluid from the auxiliazy reservoir 5 as supplied through the service application valve device i, therebyproducing a high emergency brale cylinderl pressure.

With the main emergency slide Vvalve 23 in I emergency position, fluid under pressure is vented from the valve chamber 2B and the connected quickv action Chamber 22 throughpassage 95 to the ,vent valve pisto'n' Chamber 39. The piston 31 is thereby operated to unseat the vent valve 32 so as to locally vent fluid under pressurefrom the brake pipe ll) through pipe and passage |2, passag'e. 35, vent valve Chamber 33, past the vent valve 32 to Chamber lit and thence to the atmosphere through passage M, this local quick venting of fluid from the brake pipe being adapted to transmit emergency action serially throughl a train in the usual manner.

Fluid under pressure supplied to vent valve piston Chamber 39 flows through a restricted port 98 in piston 3? to Chamber 4G leading to the atmosphere, and When the ypressure of fluid inV chamber 39 bccomes thus reduced to below the resisting pressureof spring 35, said spring seats the vent'valve 32 and'moves the piston 31 to its normal position, in whicha by-pass groove 91 is opened to the opposite sides of the pistn `and through' this by-pass groove andthe passage 95 fluid under pressure contnues tol ow from the emergency valve Chamber 20.

Fluid at brake cylinder pressure incavity `94 of the main emergency slide valve 23 tends` to lift Vsaid. slide valve from its seat upon venting ofz.v

fiuid from valve Chamber 20, but this-is prevented by emergency reservoir pressure in Chamber` 26 acting 'on diaphragm 25 which exerts a seating pressure oursaid slide valve throughthe rocking pin '35, which pressure is` of suflicient degree to hold. the slide valve 23 seated.

To, effect a release of the brales-after `an application, fiuid under pressureis supplied to the brake pipe and from thence to the piston `chambers 9V and IQ. The pistons 8 and H?v and their respective slide valves are thereby moved toreleas-eVV position, in which' the rauxiliary reservoir 5 and emergency reservoir '6 aresrecharged and thecbrake cylinder 4 is opened to the` atmosphere i ``so astovent fluid under-pressure from the brakecharging the b'rale equipment as hereinbefor'e described. z

- In eifectinggthe release of brake s on a long train, it is customary to first 'turn thebrake i from the release'position to running position,`

in which fiuid supplied tothe brake pipe islat the pressure normallyfcarried. Due to' the resistanceV to fiow of fluidlunder lpressure through the `brake pipe, the initialhigh pressure is obtained only in the front portion of the train and is adapted to increase the rate of flow toward the rear of the train saas to hasten the release of the brakes.

i At the front end of VVthe train, fiuid at the vhigh brake pipe pressure flows from the service' application valve piston Chamber 9' through feed groove 83 tovalve Chamber [3 and the auxiliary reservoir 5. Now, if the brake Val-vedeviceis held in' the release position for too long a period of time, there is a possibility that the pressure in valve Chamber |3 Will vbecome greater than that normally'carried, so that when thejbrake valve device is turned to running position and the brake pipe pressure reduces to or below that normally carried, the higher pressure in valve Chamber |3 will move the piston 8 and slide va1ves-|6 andv l'l to service' position and Causes'an undesired ap-z Z plication of the' brakes.

In order to releasegthe brakesaf-tersuch an undesired application,- the reservoir release valvel device 'l is operated. The Operating stem .69 is moved by means of ,the pull rod 12 or v'ltandcauses the member 68 to fulcrum on the surface 'll and move the stem 51 and cross-head 5,6 in a downwardlyl direction'against thev pressurel of spring 65. The Operating pin 5,9 engages the auxiliary reservoir` release valve 55 and further downward' movement unseats said valve'from the seat ribi 52, thereby permitting fluid under pressure to` flow from lthe valve Chamber |3 and'aux-V iliary reservoirV 5 through passages |4 and |5, Chamber 43, past'the" valve' 53' to Chamber' 55 andv from thence through thenotches 8| to the atmosphere. The release valve 53 is thus maintained open. until the pressure in valve Chamber |3 lis `reducedy sufficiently below the brake pipe presjsure in-pistonchamber 9, as'to permit the brake pipe pressureto move the pistonz 8 and slide valves` |-6 andv H'to release positionv andconnect,

the'brakecylinder 4 to the atmosphere so as to-M eifect a releaseof `the brakes'., When 'fluid' starts tojvent from the brake cylinder'in releasing, the` operator permits the operating'stem- 69 to be returned to its-normal positionby the action of springi which' also-,moves the; Cross-head pin 59v out'of'engagementwith the valve 53,` there'- by permittingV spring,` 54 to `seat said valve. V Ther valve Chamber 13 and auxiliary reservoir 5 then charge up to the brake pipe pressure carried.

It will be noted that greater clearance is provided between the end of the Operating pin 6| and.

for the engineertoeffectanemergency applica-v` tion of the brakes on the-train before' detaching the locomotive froml the train.l This is generally effected'on the verge of a descending grade or what is commonly known as a *'hurnp so that with the brakes on a car released, the car will freely move by itself. After the engine is detached from the train,` it is necessary to vent fluid under pressure from the brake 'system on each car in order to release the emergency application of brakes on the car before the car will freely move as desired. This is accomplished by the trainman operating the reservoir'release valve device 1. However, instead of moving the stem 69` only suificient `to unseat the auxiliary reservoir release valvev 53,' it is moved'a greater distance so as to unseat the emergency reservoir release valve 50 aswell as the auxiliary reservoir release valve 53. This vents fiuid under pressure from the emergency reservoir,` through pipe and passage 28, valve Chamber-'44, and past the Valve 59 to chamber 55, which is open to the atmosphere through the notches 8|, atthe same time as fiuid under pressure is vented from the auxiliary reservoir 5 Vthrough pipeand passage 5, valve chamber 43, past the Valve 53 and through chamber 55 and notches 8|. f i

As hereinbefore described in connection with eifecting an emergency application of the brakes, the auxiliary reservoir 5 is connected'tothe brake cylinder 4 through the service application valve device I, and the emergency reservoir 6 is connected to the' 'brake cylinder 24 'through the emergency application valve device 2. Consequently, as fiuid under pressure is Vented from said reservoirs, it is also vented from the brake cylinder vll and a release of the brakes is eifected, after which the'car can freely move on the descending grade as desired. w

It is desirable tol thus Vent fiuid under pressurel from both of said-reservoirsfor the reason that' emergencyreservoir, pressurea'cts inpassage 28 and brake cylinder pressure acts in passage 86 below the main slide valve |6of the service application valve device I when in emergency position, and even though emergency reservoir 6 is connectedto the brake cylinder as well as the auxiliary reservoir when the brake controllingV valve device is in emergency position, there would be a tendency for emergency reservoir-pressure and 'brake cylinder pressure to lift the slide valve |6 from its seat if fiuid under pressure were only vented from the'auxilia'ry reservoir 5 and the connected valve Chamber I 3. lThis would beunde-v sirable in that dirt or other foreign matter ,mightV get on the seat of the slide valve |6 and causel said slide valve Vand its seat to become scored,'

whichwould resultlater in leakage and possible failure of the device to properly function.

While-one illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described, in'detail',it is not myv intention to limit its scopetothat'embodiment or otherwise than by the terms ;oflthe appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what Il claimas new and desire to secureby llzettersjPat-`l ent,'is:

`1. In a fluid pressure brake equipment; the

combinationwith a plurality of reservoirs'normally charged with fiuid'under pressure and from which fiuid under pressure is ,adaptedfto'be 'sup-' plied to effect an application of the 'brakes, and a plurality of release valves adaptedtovent fluid under pressure from said reservoirs, ,ofl means separate from and movable independently of said, '-valves forfl lunseating 'said valves, Va "cross-head mally charged With fluid under pressure and.

from which fiuid under pressure is adapted to beA supplied to effect an application of the brakes, and a plurality of release valves adapted to vent fiuid under pressure from said reservoirs, of means separate from and movable independently of said valves for successively opening said valves, a cross-head carrying said means, and a manually controlled lever for moving said means.

3. In a fiuid pressure brake equipment, the combination with a casing, of an auxiliary reservoir and an emergency reservoir connected to said casing and' normally charged with fluid under pressure, a pair of release valves disposed in said casing, one of said release valves adapted to vent fiuid under pressure'from said auxiliary reservoir and the other of said release valves adapted to vent fiuid under pressure from said emergencs reservoir, means separate from and movable indep'endently of said valves and slidably mounted in the casing for opening said release valves for ventingv fluid under pressure from said reservoirs, a cross-head carrying said means, and a manually operated lever for operating said means.

4. In a fiuid pressure brake equipment, the combination With a plurality of reservoirs normally charged with fiuid under pressure and from which' fluid under pressure is vadapted to be supplied toV effect an application of the brakes, and

from said reservoirs, means separate from and' movable independently of said valves and slidably mounted in the casing for opening said release valves, a cross-head for operating said means, and a manually operated lever for operating said cross-head.

5. In a fluidpressure brake equipment, the combination With a plurality of reservoirs normally charged With fiuid under pressure and from which fiuid under pressure is adapted tobe supplied to effect an application of the brakes, and a casing to which said reservoirs are connected, of a plurality of release valves disposed in said casing and adapted to vent fiuid under pressure from said reservoirs, a pin for operating each release valve, a cross-head movable relative to said release valves and carrying the Valve operating pins, and a manually operated lever for operating said cross-head.

6. In a fiuid pressure brake equipment, the combination with a plurality of reservoirs nor- ,mally'fcharged with fluid under pressure and from which'fiuid under pressure is adapted to be suppliedto effect anapplication of the brakes, and .a casing to'which said reservoirs are connected,

mally charged withfluid under pressure and from which fiuid under pressure is adapted to be supplied to effect an application of the brakes, and a casing to which'said reservoirs are connected, of a plurality of release-valves disposed in said casing and adapted to vent fluidunder pressure from said reservoirs, a pin' for operating each release valve, a cross-head movable relative to said release valves and carryng the valve Operating pins, a guide carrying said cross-head and slidably mounted in the casing, and a manually operated lever for moving said guide.

8-. In a fluid pressure brake equipment, the

combination with a pluralty of reservoirs nor-.

mally charged with fiuid under pressureV and from which fiuid under pressure is adapted to be suppliedto effect an application of the brakes, and a casing to which said reservoirs are connected, of a plurality of release valves disposed in` said casing and adapted' to vent fluid under pressure from said reservoirs, a pin for Operating each release valve and slidably mounted in the casing, a cross-head carrying the valve Operating pins, a

guide carrying said cross-head and slidably i mounted in the casing, a manually 'operatedvlefrom said reservoirs, ani Operating pin for unseating one of said valves, an Operating pin for un- :seating the other of said valves at a different time, a cross-head movable relative to said valves and carrying said pins and a manually operated lever for Operating said cross-head.

10. In a fluid pressure brake, the combination with a brake controlling valve device and a plurality of reservoirs connected to said brake controlling valve device and normally charged with fiuid under pressure, of valve means for each of said reservoirs operative independently of` each other for venting fluid under pressure from said reservoirs, and manual'rneans for Operating separately one of said valve means or simult'aneously` Operating both of said valve means. 1 H

11. In a fluid pressure brake, the combination V r with a brake Vcontrolling valve device and a plurality of reservoirs connected to said brake controlling valve device and normally chargedj with fiuid under pressure, ofl a release valve device for each of said reservoirs operative to vent fluid under pressure therefrom, and a manuallyoperated member for Operating the reservoir release valve devices. s j

12. In a fluid pressure brake, the combination with v`a brake controlling valve device and a plurality of'reservoir's connected to said ;brake controlling valvel deviceandnormally charged with fluid'under pressure, of arelease valve device for each of said reservoirs operative to vent fluid under pressuretherefrom, and a manually operated member for Operating the reservoir release valve devices to 'successivelyventfiuid underz pressure from one of said reservoirs and then from another of said reservoirs. w

13. In a fiuid` pressure brake, the combination with a brake controlling valveV device and a pluralityV of reservoirs connected to said brake controlling valve device and normally charged with fluid under pressure, of a release valve` device for each of said reservoirs operative to vent fiuid under pressure therefrom, and a manually operatedy member movableV to a certainposition to' effect the Operation of vone of said release valvev devices-and upon a further movement to leffect the operation of anotherof said release valve devices.

14. In a fiuid pressure brake, the combination with a brake controlling valve device and? a plurality of reservoirs connected to said brake controlling valve deviceand normally charged'with vfluicl under pressure, of a release valveV device for each of said reservoirs operative to vent fiuid under pressure therefrom, and amanually-operated member movable to a'certain position, to

effect the operation of one of said release valve devices and upon a further movement tov effect the operation of all of said release valve devices.

15. The combination withv an automaticf air,

brake mechanism, including'aplurality 'of res-*` ervcirs,l of valve means, including a pluralityi of valves, controlling vents from each of said reservoirs to the atmosphere; and common means for mechanically actuating said valve means to vent one of said'res'ervoirs andl then' to vent another-of'said'reservoirs i 16. The combination with an` automatic air brake mechanism, including a normally charged brake pipe, a brake cylinder and a' plurality` of reservoirs, of venting means for the brake cylinder; valveimeans controlling vents to the atmosphere leading from each of said' reservoirsl and adapted, through actuation thereof, to effect' operation of the brake cylinder venting means, j

said valve means' being movable'between three positions, namely, a normal, closed position, a

second position in' which one of the` reservoir,

vents is open, and a'third positionin which both reservoir vents are open;` and means for actu-V ating the valve means.`

1'7. 'The combinationV wi aplurality of reservoirs, ofl venting means for th an' automatic air*v brake mechanism, including a brake cylinder and,

the brake cylinder; lvalve means controlling vents j v tothe atmosphere leading'from eachof said reservoirs; and means for actuatingsaid valve' 'fs means',the valve means being adapted,V as a result of operation of the valve ,actuatingjmeans,' to effect operation of the brake cylinder venting means, 'said valvefmeans being movable between three positions,jnamely, a normahclosed position, a second'position in` which onev of the reservoir vents is open, and a third position in which both reservoir vents'are open;

18. The combination with anV automaticV air brake mechanism, including a brake cylindenan auxiliary reservoir and a supplemental reservoir,

of venting means for the brake'cyhnder; valve means controlling vents'to the atmosphere lead- 1 ing from each of said reservoiIfS, and meansjfor actuating saidvalve means, the valve means be-f ing adapt'ed, as a result of operation of the 'valve actuating means, to effect operation of the brake cylinder venting means, said valve means beingV movable between three positions, namely, a nor-,

mal, closed position, a second position in which venting of the auxiliary reservoir andthe brakel cylinder is effected, and a third position in which o venting of the brake cylinder and both the au'xil' Z iary and supplemental reservoirs is effected' f 19. The combination with an automatic air` brake mechanism, including a brake'` cylinder and 'I a plurality of reservo-irs, of venting means for`.

the brake cylinder; valve means controllin'g'vents to the atmosphere leading 'from`l each of "said reservoirs, said valve means comprising poppet valves corresponding to said reservoir vents and resilient means; normally holding said valvesv closed; and means for actuating said valve means, the valve means: being, adapted,v as a result 'of operation of the valve actuating means, to effect operation of the brake cylinder venting meanasaid-valve means being movable between three positions,.namely, a normal, closed position, arseconduposition' in which one of the reser-v voirvvents is open, and a third position in which both reservoir vents are open.

20. In a fiuid pressure brake equipment, in combination,,fa brake pipe, a brake cylinder, a plurality,of lreservoirs normally charged with fiuid under pressure, automatic valve means movableV inder when said automatic valve means is in said emergency position, and common means op-` erable manually for effecting ,the operation of said valve means.

21. In a fiuid pressure brake equipment, in combination, la brake pipe, a brake cylinder, a plurality of reservoirs normally charged with fiuid under pressure, automatic valve means movable upon an emergency reduction in brake pipe pressure to an emergency position for establishing communication between said reservoirs and brake cylinder for effecting an emergency application of the brakes, said automatic valve means Ibeing movableupon an increase in brake pipe .pressure to arelease position for effecting a release of fiuid under pressure from saidV brake cylinder, a `plurality of Vvalvesucontrolling separate vents from said reservoirs and operative `to vent said reservoirs and therebyZ said brakecylinder when said automatic valve means is in saidl emergency posii tion, and common means operable manually foreffecting the operation of said manually operl ative valve means.

22. In a fiuid pressure equipment, in combination, a brake pipe, a brake'cylinder, anV auxiliary reservoir, an emergency reservoir, automatic Valve means movable upon a service reduction in'brake pipe pressure toaservice position for supplying fluid under pressure from. said auxiliary reser-- voir to said brake cylinder -and lmovable upon an emergency reduction inbrake pipe pressure to a position for supplying-fluid under pressure from both of'said reservoirs to'said brake cylinder, and

movable When the brake pipe Vpressure vexceeds the pressure in lsaid auxiliaryreservoir to a. release position for effectingta release of fiuid under pressure froinsaidbrake cylinder, valve meansv for controlling separate vents from said reservoirs, said -valve means having one position for venting both ofsaidvreservoirs and said brake cylinder when said valve means is in said emergency position, and having another position for venting only saidauxili'ary reservoir forl eifecting movement of said valve means to release position aftera service reduction in brake'pipe pressure, and av memberv for manually Operating said valve means. 1 u

i 23. In a fiuid pressure'brake equipment, in comnbinationya' brake pipe, a brake cylinder, a plurality 'of reservoirs normally. charged with fiuid under pressure, `automatic valve means movable upon an emergency reduction in brake pipe pressure for'establishing communication between said:

reservoirs and the brake cylinder for efiecting an emergency lapplicationof the brakes and adapted toV maintain said communication until the brake pipe pressure is increased, and manually operable valve means for venting fiuid from said reservoirs and thereby from said brake cylinder following operation of said automaticjvalve means to effect an emergency application of the brakes.

24; In a fiuid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake pipe, a brakecylinder, a plurality of reservoirs normally charged with fluid' under pressure, automatic valve means comprising a servicevalve device and'an em'ergency valve device, each movable upon an emergency reduction in brake pipe pressurefor establishing communications through which fiuid under pressure is supplied from said reservoirs itojthe brake cylinder and adapted to maintain said communications unless thebrake pipe pressure is increased, and manually Voperable valve means for venting fiuid from said'reservoirs andv thereby from the 'brake cylinder with said valve devices in position to establish said-,Communications 25. In a fiuid pressure brake,l the combination with abrake pipe, a-brake; cylinder, a plurality of reservoirs normally charged with fiuid under pressure, and. a brake controlling valve operated upon variations in brake pipe pressure to supply fiuid under pressure from one of said reservoirs to said brakecylinder and subjected to fluid under pressure supplied from the other of said reservoirs` z acting on the valve seat face of the valve tending to lift the valve from its'seat and to fiuid undei` pressure supplied from said one of said reservoirs and acting on its opposite face and tending to'retain said valve upon its seat against the fiuid pressure tending to lift it from its seat, i

of meansifor insuring simultaneous'dra'ining of fiuid from said'reservoirs Whereby the said reservoirs are sirnultaneously drained so as to prevent such diiferences in fiuid pressure acting on 'said Valve, while the reservoirs are being drained, as would cause liftingyof saidl valve from its seat.

26. Ina fiuid pressure brake, the combination with a brake pipe, -a` brake cylinder, a reservoir normally lcharged with'fluid under pressure and abrake controlling valve operated upon variations in brake pipe pressure to supply fiuid under pressure from said reservoir -to said brakecylinder and subjected to fiuid under pressure from said brake cylinder acting on the Valve seat face of the valve tending to lift it from itsiseat and to fiuid under pressure .supplied from said reservoir and acting on its opposite face and tending to retain said valve upon its seat, of means forinsuring the simultaneous draining of fiuid from said reservoir and said'brake cylinder whereby the said reservoir and said brakeicylinder vare'simultaneously drained so as lto prevent such differences in pressure acting on said valve while said reservoir and said brake cylinder are being drained as Would cause lifting of saidV valve from its seat.

27. Ina fluid pressure brake apparatus, the combination With a brake controlling valve device having a plurality .of reservoirs normally charged withv fluid 'under pressure, of a manually operable valve -device having means adapted when in one position to vent fluid under pressure from one reservoir only, vand when in another position to vent fiuid under pressure concurrently' from all saidreservoirs.

VELLIs E. HEWIiI'r. 

